The United States Congress has proclaimed April 25 Willis Conover Day to honour a Voice of America broadcaster who spread American jazz music around the world during the Cold War. The congressional resolution recognizes Conover and Voice of America for their “joint contribution toward spreading the language of Jazz and American cultural diplomacy.”
Conover called jazz “the music of freedom.” He began broadcasting in 1955, at a time when many Eastern European countries banned the musical style as dangerous and subversive. But his shows were extremely popular and an estimated 100 million people heard his broadcasts.
His programmes also included interviews with jazz greats including Duke Ellington, Billie Holliday and Louis Armstrong. He will be honuored on Saturday during a concert on the National Mall in Washington. The concert brings jazz bands to the city to educate students about American jazz heritage. April is Jazz Appreciation Month in the United States.
(Source: VOA News)
on May 1st, 2009 at 14:25
Can anyone please explain why this announcement was made after the fact?
Nowhere in the media did I see or hear that the Congress has acted on this matter, and that silence is a real tragedy. No way to honor the contributions of a great American.
on May 1st, 2009 at 15:05
The press release was dated 23rd April, so the announcement was not made after the fact. How quickly I can publish press releases depends on my other duties. My schedule varies from week to week, and I don’t always have time. I cannot, of course, account for why this press release was not published in a timely manner in the US.